Sam's or Costco?

[Milton]

Recently the place I have bought tires shut down.It was suggested to me today to join either Sam's or Costco for tires and related services along with other shopping.What are the +'s and -'s of each one?

 

[usm1rifle]

Go to TireRack.com.

 

[finesse_r]

Best tire supplier in this area is Discount Tires. Good prices and excellent follow up service.

 

[Arik]

I use Tire Rack but I have a account through my work. Before that I used salvage yards. Like new tires for $10 - $40 ea depending on your size. Since I always drive economy cars my tires were usually $10 -$20 ea

 

[dougb1946]

Decide on the tire you want, then check the web for local suppliers. When comparing prices, pay attention to balancing, rotating, wheel weights, and disposal fees that may not be mentioned in an ad. My Ford dealer has great prices on tires, but the local independent has the same tires with free rotation and balancing every 10,000 miles. Ford charges. Over the life of the tires, the independent works out as lower priced.

I want the new tire warrantee and prefer to start with new tires so I know their history. Something goes wrong, I like knowing who to talk to.

 

[unclebob]

I purchased a set from discount tires even though Costco was cheaper, because they were closer, but I believe Discount Tire will price match..

 

[S&WForty]

I second both Tire Rack and Discount Tire. If you go with TireRack, check several local shops for mounting pricing, because they can be all over the map for the same services.

Sam's vs Costco? I haven't bought tires from Sam's in over 15 years. Just price shop those two when comparing to others. Outside of tires, I've found a bad decline at Sam's in quality of products and competency of their personnel over the last 1 to 2 years. I would switch to Costco, but none are conveniently located near me, while one Sam's is near my work and the other near my home.

 

[loeman]

I don't have any experience with Sam's but I am a huge fan of Costco. Their store brand products (Kirkland) and always good to excellent. Their meat selection and freshness is wonderful etc. etc.

However, I buy my tires at Discount. They will match Costco's price and they are more convenient than going to Costco. The last time I bought tires there a few months ago, they upgraded my selection at no extra charge because they didn't have a full set of four of what I selected.

 

[cowart]

I am a member of both. Since you probably won't be buying tires every year, that is not a good basis for deciding which to join. (you pay an annual fee to be a member).

Which one is physically located closer to your house?

What do you spend the most money on?

Are you an early riser? If so, you might want a business membership at Sams. That allows you to start shopping at 7:00am instead of 10:00am/9:30am. Its nice having the place pretty much empty, and not having to rub elbows with the common folk.

If you spend a lot every month, Costco has an "executive" membership that gives 2% back instead of 1%. It costs twice as much.

 

[Milton]

Thanks for all the comments!I like the idea of shopping early as I get up very early,that sounds like a good benefit.
Both Costco and Sam's are essentially the same distance from my house.I really do like shopping as early as possible.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I buy my tires at Discount. They will match Costco's price and they are more convenient than going to Costco. The last time I bought tires there a few months ago, they upgraded my selection at no extra charge because they didn't have a full set of four of what I selected.

I gave up my Costco membership when they put up the "No Firearms" sign. I did buy tires from them back in '07 and had good service.

But, I now also buy my tires from Discount Tire. Great service and a great warranty. If you travel a lot and have tire trouble it's a lot easier to find a Discount Tire than it is a Costco or Sam's store. Discount Tire is in a lot of places you won't find either a Sam's or Costco.

 

[Pre 29]

I would suggest you find a local shop that you trust and give them your business just like with a gun store that treats you right. That way if you need some help in the future they know who you are. I only buy Michelin tires and from the same place I have bought them for years. His prices are good and he takes good care of my car. I firmly believe Michelin's are worth the extra money due to their superior performance in rain and they may last longer. They ride great.

 

[Beemer-mark]

Costco is great. Sam's club is just like Wal-mart, under paid lazy clerks, dirty stores, incredibly slow service. Every clerk I talk to at Costco loves their job and loves Costco. Service is great and if you have a tire issue (flat, whatever) there is a Costco in almost every major town. Plus you can't beat their gas prices. And if you get the premium membership you get a % back every year. Costco has all the major brands at competitive prices.

 

[Rule3]

For just tires or all around??

Costco rocks!, as mentioned Sams is a big Wal Mart and BJ's is useless.

JMHO, Dropped BJ's a long time ago, still belong to SAMS but rarely go there (they opened a new one and we essential got a year free) We go to Costco at least once a month or more.

Costcos warranty(anytime, no BS) and service is hard to beat.

 

[USAF385]

I tried tire rack at one time. The local garage that participated was able to get me the same tires for a better price, so.......

 

[BigBoy99]

I just bought 4 new tires for my F250 and the price I paid at Merchant's Tire was $190 less than the quote I received from Sam's Club for the exact same tires. There are no COSTCO in my area.

 

[DWalt]

Don't know if you have Pep Boys stores in your area. I have bought only Pep Boy tires for the last 25 years. I have never had a problem with them on any car, and prices are as good as you can find anywhere. Their house brand tires are made by Cooper, not something from China.

 

[Coldshooter]

I use a locally owned tire shop with shops in 5 Alaskan towns. Prices are not the lowest but all recommended rotations repairs replacement if a weight is lost are free until the wear bands show. They had a new guy who mismounted tires on my wifes car wrong with wrong direction of rotation. They caught it when she had a tire checked for a leaking valve stem and gave her new tires in case there had been damage to the ones on the car. No large chain will do that so far as I know. I am paying more fore tires up front but saving on the extras.

 

[EllDee]

Just bought a set of Michelin AT/2 at Costco for my 2004 Grand Cherokee. I got five, as I always rotate the whole set, etc.

I couldn't be happier with the price, the service, the cleanliness and professionalism of the staff, etc., etc.

Never bought tires before from a big store, always went local. I priced two locals and Costco's price was $18 less per tire than the cheaper of the others. Tough not to do it.

 

[rock_castle]

We have had memberships at both, and prefer Costco.